Spark your child's creativity and make some really cool things together with ideas from our craft expert. Find out more »
Archives
See our topics »
Home »
Wicked Stitch--Embroidered Trick or Treat Totes
One of my favorite ways to encourage kids to be creative is by collaborating with them on projects. A simple but rewarding way to do this is by embroidering their artwork onto fabric; making it a usable keepsake. In the past I've stitched my sons' artwork onto journals, t-shirts and even a birthday card pillow for Nana. The possibilities for this technique are endless, including incorporating it into your Halloween celebration!
This year, sweeten a Trick or Treat tote with scary sketches done by your little devils. Kiddos will feel proud displaying their talents, and parents will have a crafty record of darlings' doodles to save for years to come. Oh and if you've never embroidered before, no problem! This project requires only using one, easy stitch: the back stitch. Here's everything you'll need to know to make one of these boo-tiful bags yourself!
Materials
Paper & Pencil (for child's drawing)
Plain, Canvas Tote Bag
Assorted Colors, Embroidery Floss
Embroidery Needle
Embroidery Hoop
Transfer Paper (found in art supply aisle at craft store)
Note: Be sure to buy light colored transfer paper if you're working with a dark, tote bag and dark paper for lighter versions.
Project How-To
- Ask your child to draw a simple, picture of something Halloween-related. The less detailed the drawing, the easier it is to translate into an embroidered image.
- Lay transfer paper, face down on tote bag. Lay drawing, face up on top of transfer paper. Using a pencil, stylus or anything pointy (a knitting needle, works great), firmly trace over drawing. Image should now be transferred onto tote bag front.
- Place tote bag front in embroidery hoop. Back stitch over transferred image outline.
Psst! Got older kids? Have them do the embroidery themselves!
Spooky Stitching!,
Vickie
Psst! Make this craft? We'd love to see a picture of it...and we're sure others would too! Join the Craft Apparent Flickr group and upload photos of you're awesome Craft Apparent Crafts!
3 Comments
So great! I love this idea. Thanks!!!
This technique can also be used for creating a wall hanging or a quilt of your child's artwork. I've seen quilts in which every square is a re-creation of one piece of art, very much like the trick-or-treat bag concept. I have always thought these were so cool -- what a great way to preserve your child's art. But the one's I have seen have been very elaborate, way too much work for me. But, Vicky, your technique is much simpler and could easily be applied to the squares of a quilt. Thanks for the idea!
Nice idea. These environment friendly totes also create awareness amongst kids to know how important it is to protect our Planet from Global Warming. These totes would reduce the use of Plastic bags and we at Crafts and Creations
appreciate your efforts.